On our boat survey yesterday our Living Seas volunteer was delighted to spot a small group of Harbour porpoise foraging near the boat, including one mother and calf pair. A number of Atlantic grey seals were also sighted, both hauled out on nearby beaches and swimming near the boat.

Harbour porpoise were spotted throughout the day yesterday by our Living Seas volunteers, with single individuals spotted foraging, travelling, and logging on the surface for long periods. A number of Atlantic grey seals were also spotted, with males and females swimming and scanning close to the harbour wall.

Our volunteers sighted the Cardigan Bay big 3 yesterday; with Bottlenose dolphins seen in 3 out of 4 surveys, Harbour porpoise in both afternoon surveys, and Atlantic grey seals seen in both the morning and afternoon. Bottlenose dolphins were observed surfing the waves, chasing prey at the surface, as well as milling and socialising. The #LivingSeas volunteers were delighted to record our first sighting of Harbour porpoise in the harbour for a while, with a small group foraging and milling in the bay for around an hour. Atlantic grey seals were also spotted close to the harbour wall swimming and bottling throughout the day.

Our volunteers were lucky enough to see all of the Cardigan Bay Big Three yesterday during two boat surveys: Seals, Porpoises and Dolphins. Porpoises were seen travelling, seals bottling, dolphins approached the boat, and were also observed milling and foraging. Many Common Jellyfish were seen yesterday too.

An eventful boat based survey aboard the Sulaire with our Living Seas Volunteer spotting the Cardigan Bay Big 3. Several groups of dolphins were spotted totalling about 9 individuals including one juvenile. Behaviour included socialising and foraging. A pair of harbour porpoises were seen off Bird’s Rock travelling west and nearby a single Atlantic grey seal was bottling.

On-board ‘Anna Lloyd’ for yesterday’s all-day boat trip, we had some incredible sightings recorded by our Living Seas team. The Cardigan Bay big three were all seen (dolphins, seals and porpoise) along with our first confirmed sighting of a basking shark here in three years. Although only a small individual of around 7ft, it was still a remarkable rare sight for all on the trip.

Our LivingSeas volunteers had three successful Dolphin Survey Boat Trips yesterday, with sightings of all “Big Three”! A total of 18 Bottlenose dolphins were spotted throughout the day, displaying behaviours such as foraging and feeding, logging, and head slaps. A Harbour porpoise was spotted as well as Atlantic grey seals which were displaying behaviours such as bottling, swimming, and hauled out. Gannets and guillemots were spotted around the dolphin sightings.

All of the Cardigan Bay Big Three – bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seals – were seen during the boat surveys! Bottlenose dolphins were spotted in both of the 2 boat surveys carried out yesterday. One Atlantic grey seal was sighted during the first survey and one harbour porpoise was seen in the second survey! As well as seals and cetaceans, an abundance of jellyfish were recorded. Hundreds of moon jellyfish were seen, as well as compass, blue and barrel jellyfish.